COIMBATORE: In a healthy break from convention, the Vice Chancellor (V-C) search committee for Thiruvalluvar University in Vellore has set guidelines for aspirants of the top academic-cum-administrative post.
Normally, search panels are discreet about the selection procedure and do not even publicise their meetings. However, the Thiruvalluvar University V-C search panel headed by Professor E Balagurusamy, Member (Education), State Planning Commission, has mandated that only aspirants who have worked in the rank of a university professor for a minimum of 10 years could apply for the post.
The aspirant must also be involved in institution-building activities with a proven track record of academic and administrative leadership.
The post of V-C at the university had fallen vacant following the resignation of incumbent A Jothi Murugan in December, 2011.
Recently, the State government had constituted a search committee comprising Balagurusamy, former University of Madras V-C, S P Thyagarajan and UGC Emeritus Professor S Venkataraman. The panel would shortlist three aspirants and forward their names to the Governor-Chancellor who would appoint one of them as V-C. Incidentally, Thyagarajan is the author of the UGC Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointing Teachers in Universities and Colleges, a policy document that prescribed qualifications for V-Cs.
The first meeting of the search committee was held on Wednesday at the university. Traditionally, search committee members do not visit the university.
“We visited various departments and other facilities available and discussed with the university officers and faculty about the academic and developmental issues concerning the university,” said Balagurusamy. This would enable the panel members to question aspirants about their vision plan for the young university.
Aspirants can submit their applications before May 15. The committee will meet the following day. “Candidates may provide a detailed chronological resume that reflects their qualifications (not more than five pages); a summary justifying their suitability for the post; and a plan of action for making the university a Centre of Excellence,” he said.